Dr. Naderi,
First of all, thank you for taking the time to help people out by aswering questions.
I had rhinoplasty about a year ago to remove a hump and deproject my nose. I was under 5.5 hours which seemed insane to me. I had rhino, septo and turbinoplasty. I still am swollen from the procedure especially when I wake up. My nose is now uneven and wide. It seems that I may need a slight revision and a bit of cartilage may have be added to the left side of my nose to make it look more even. I’d like to know 1- if the fact that I am still swollen is normal a year post op. 2- If the recovery period and the procedure for a slight revision will be as difficult to perform and recover from. 3- Is there a non surgical way to add cartilage to one side of the nose to help with symetry.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Chloe
Answer:
Dear Chloe,
Thank you for the kind words. It is my pleasure.
It is very unusual for a primary rhinoplasty to take that long but then again each surgeon operates at the speed with which he or she is comfortable. Noticeable swelling at 1 year is rare. Most patients do not appreciate swelling past 6 months or so although the nose will continue to mold and shrink wrap slightly throughout the lifespan of the patient. Therefore, your pictures at one year will look different than the ones at 10 years, etc…
1) Every patient heals differently so fluctuating mild edema is not completely abnormal especially if lots of grafts were used but can happen even without grafts. There is usually more swelling with longer cases and yours was fairly long at 5.5 hours.
2) Recovery depends on what needs to be done. If it is a minor revision then the recovery should be much quicker than your original surgery. If a major revision is needed then the recovery will be longer.
3) There is no “”non surgical”” way to add cartilage but if all you need is some cartilage to fill in an indented area then a very minor procedure in which a “”closed”” technique is used to create a precise pocket is used and a cartilage graft is slid into place. However, the source of cartilage may have to come from your ear if he has already done a septoplasty on you in the past.
Temporary fillers such as collagen can be injected but they are not permanent and Artefill is too new to safely inject into the nose as of yet.
You should be seen and examined for a better evaluation. Good luck.
